'Miracle' man who cannot swim survives at sea for two days

Tseng Lien-fa was swept off the east-coast of Taiwan by a large wave when catching eels on the beach.

Floating into the abyss, Mr Tseng was able to grab hold of a coffin lid, of all things, as he braved the rough current.

Mr Tseng told the United Daily News: "I managed to hold on as the first wave hit me on the chest, but I was overwhelmed by the second and bigger wave.

"On the lid, I was drifting and drifting ... during that period I hoped I could be picked up by any ships passing by."

SAVED: Mr Tseng washed up 46 miles down the coast [AFP/GETTY]

“On the lid, I was drifting and drifting ... during that period I hoped I could be picked up by any ships passing by.”

Tseng Lien-fa

Mr Tseng had been out fishing to raise some extra money with his pregnant fiancee expecting him back within a few hours.

The strong waves eventually carried him back onto shore in the south-eastern county of Taitung- 46 miles from where he first disappeared.

Coastguards found him lying motionless on the beach on Sunday after going missing 60 hours before Friday.

Mr Tseng got off lightly with only a few sores and slight dehydration after his two day ordeal.

Chen Tien-su, a doctor at Hualien Hospital, said: "Considering the fact that he had not taken in any food or water while drifting at sea for 60 hours and he remained conscious, all I could say about him was that this was a miracle."